MLB’s New Media Partnership Reshapes Twins Viewing Experience
Major League Baseball has unveiled an ambitious three-year partnership with ESPN, NBC, and Netflix that promises to transform the way Minnesota Twins fans watch their favorite team starting in the 2026 season. The collaboration aims to enhance accessibility and viewing options for fans, signaling a major shift in the landscape of sports broadcasting.
ESPN’s In-Market Rights
As part of the deal, ESPN will hold in-market broadcasting rights for six teams, including the Twins, Guardians, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Mariners. This development raises an important question for fans: how much will it cost to catch Twins games on ESPN in 2026? While the exact pricing details remain under wraps, Aaron Gleeman has reported, citing a team source, that the forthcoming agreement “won’t change how fans can watch their broadcasts in 2026.” Fans can expect to access games through the same platforms as in the previous season, including cable, satellite, and MLB.tv.
Access and Pricing Insights
Last season, Twins games were available through Twins.TV, which fans could access via local cable, satellite, and various streaming services. The pricing structure was straightforward: a full season subscription cost $99.99, or fans could opt for a monthly rate of $19.99. With the new partnership, ESPN is contemplating a promotional offer that may include a free month for its direct-to-consumer app, ESPN Unlimited, which carries a monthly fee of $30. Should fans choose to access Twins games through this app over the course of a six-month MLB season, they could expect to spend approximately $150 for full access.
While it’s still uncertain how pricing might fluctuate with other providers that include ESPN—such as YouTube TV, Fubo TV, Hulu Live, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV, and Xfinity—fans can rest assured that there will be no significant changes in local production quality, as Gleeman has noted.
Special Events and Additional Coverage
In an exciting twist, Netflix will have exclusive rights to the highly anticipated annual “Field of Dreams” game in Dyersville, Iowa. This event will feature a matchup between the Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies on August 13, 2026, promising to be a highlight for fans. NBC and its streaming platform Peacock will take on the responsibility of broadcasting the first round of the playoffs, marking a notable shift in playoff coverage. Additionally, NBC will assume control of Sunday Night Baseball, a fixture on ESPN since 1990.
Ongoing Broadcast Partnerships
MLB’s press release emphasized that traditional broadcasters will continue to play a significant role in the league’s media strategy. FOX/FS1 will maintain its position as the home for the All-Star Game, regular-season games, and marquee events like the World Series and League Championship Series. TBS will also retain its rights to LCS and Division Series telecasts, along with regular season games on Tuesday nights. Furthermore, Apple TV+ will persist in streaming two Friday night games throughout the season.
With these sweeping changes, the 2026 season promises to bring a fresh viewing experience for Twins fans, blending traditional broadcasting with new-age streaming options. As the MLB continues to evolve its media strategy, fans can look forward to an exciting and accessible future.
